“The Amazing Spider-Man” revamps a well-worn Marvel Comics’s super-hero franchise, and does it well. As most readers will know, “The Amazing Spider-Man” tells the story of a high school kid who gets bitten by a scientifically modified spider, discovers he has new-found super powers, and decides to use them for good all while sporting a skin- tight red-and-blue leotard.
But this time around, Spidey’s a little darker and we learn more about his motives. Is he driven merely by revenge? Parker is “a human hero [who] goes through all of the same struggles that we all have gone through, especially the skinny ones [who] want more power than they feel they have,” star Andrew Garfield told reporters. “You feel the power of it [the Spider-Man suit], the power of not being seen, the power of the mask. … It’s like he’s on a message board. He’s got the anonymity of the Internet within that suit, and he can say whatever the hell he likes, and he can get away with anything.” Indeed, Garfield’s Spidey is less of a good neighbor and more of a rebel…with a cause; and this tone gives “The Amazing Spider-Man” a refreshing and distinct voice in the film franchise.
Garfield makes “The Amazing Spider-Man” soar with the aid of a talented cast, including Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors. And it helps that all were in the expert care of director Marc Webb (“500 Days of Summer”), who adds intimacy and humanity to this superhero story while retaining key action elements.
As for whether “The Amazing Spider-Man” should be seen in 3-D, yes! Like Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus,” filmed with such care that 3-D and regular formats are equally stunning, “The Amazing Spider-Man” thrills in both formats. But, there is a extra sensory charge had when things seem to hurtle from the screen.